[Objective] The effects of soil water and salt factors on the distribution of vegetation communitis in the shelterbelt system of Jilantai Salt Lake were investigated, in order to provide theoretical basis for the maintenance and management of the shelterbelt in the salt lake.[Methods] The influences of soil water and salt factors on the distribution characteristics of vegetation community in Jilantai Salt Lake shelter forest system were studied by using quantitative classification and ordination method.[Results] There were significant differences in soil water and salt content between Nitraria tangutorum community and other community types, and there was no significant difference in soil pH value between different community types (p>0.05). The results of TWINSPAN showed that the relationship between plant species and plant community type was very good. The relationship between soil water and salt content was well verified in CCA ordination chart. Except for community Ⅰ, community Ⅵ, Ⅴ, Ⅳ, Ⅲ and Ⅱ were distributed along the decreasing direction of soil water and salt content, and the distribution of artificial vegetation community was relatively concentrated, which indicated that artificial vegetation configuration had a certain impact on the distribution of shelterbelt vegetation. The results of significance test of environmental factors showed that Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and soil water content had a significant effect on the distribution of vegetation community in shelterbelt system.[Conclusion] In terms of soil water and salt factors, soil Mg²⁺, Na⁺, SO₄^2- and soil water content are the main factors affecting the plant community distribution of shelterbelt system.